Dumping means for weeders



Sc apt. 9; 1930. c KEY 1,775,245

DUMPING MEANS FOR WEEDERS Original Filed March 3. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 '9 INVENTOR (ZgzzzdaZ/Kay ATTORW.

Sep t. 9, 1930. c. KEY 1,175,245

DUMPING MEANS FOR WEEDERS Original File d March 5. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 im/ENTOR igadei."

ATTORNEY Sept. 9, 1930. c. L. KEY 1,775,245

DUIPING MEANS FOR WEEDERS Original Filed March 3. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheer 3 INVENTOR ZZJW ATTORNEY C. L. KEY

DUMPING MEANS FOR WEEDERS Sept. 9, 1930.

Original Filed March 3. i927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR [Mi K BY ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLAUDE L. KEY, OF MILTON,OREGON, ASSIGNOR TO KEY WEEDER COMPANY, OF MILTON, OREGON, A CORPORATION OF OREGON DUMPING MEANS FOR WEEDERS Refiled for abandoned application Serial No. 172,315, filed March 3, 1927. Ths application filed September This application is filed in lieu of my abandoned'application filed March 3, 1927, Serial No. 172,315.

This invention relates to dumping means for weeders and has as one of its objects to provide a dumping means adapted to operate by moving the weed cutting means in a vertical are out of the ground and'bringing it to a sudden stopto dislodge the cutweeds therefrom, and replacing the blade in the ground ready for operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dumping means for weeders having a toggle mechanism adapted to secure the cutting means inthe operable position in the ground. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide a dumping means for weeders that is adaptable for tripping manually or by the aid of springs.

. A further object of the invention is to provide a dumping means for weeders that V will operate to automatically clean the blade and restore it to the operable position by means of a toggle mechanism and provide means to set said mechanism ready for action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dumping meansfor weeders, a setting and a locking means, comprising a series of levers arranged for the purpose, and utilizing one of said levers to ad ust the depth of operation of the blade in the ground.

A-further object of the invention is to provide a dumping means for weeders, comprising a series of levers arranged for the purpose, and providing means to regulate the relative position of said levers to provide a locking arrangement that will lock the levers .with. varying degrees of security for manual or: automatic release of the bladev in case of contact with solid matter, as a stump or rock.

l/Vith these and other objects in view reference is now had'to the accompanying drawings in which Serial No. 395,163.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one of the simplest forms of the device;

Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 showing a remote setting means for the main actuating spring;

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of device with a remote blade regulating means;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation. of a fourth 1n0di fication of the device;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a fifth and pre ferred form of the device;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a weeder showing the device installed;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the tripping mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 9 is a partial sectional elevation of the tripping mechanism, taken on the line 1414 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 shows a rear elevation of one form of latch;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the crank assembly; and

Fig. 12 shows an enlarged fragment of the preferred form of device, showing its extreme movement by dotted lines.

Having reference to the drawings, like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and the numeral 1 relates to weedcrs consisting of a frame 2 which may be of the usual construction, to which is attached a cutting blade 8, by means of goosenecks 4, the goosenecks being arranged to rock with said frame, as shown in Fig. 6, or to rock independent of said frame, as shown in Fig. 1, or otherwise.

The frame 2 is further provided with rearwardly extended members 5 supported at their rearward ends by castor wheels, 6, or other means. and the whole suitably strengthened by diagonal members 7. 1

Mounted on the frame in a manner to b explained is a toggle operating mechanism 8 cooperating with a blade operating lever 9 that may be attached to the frame directly,

iii

' tained thereon, and further that-a connecting rod 33 connects this latch operably with the blade operating lever.

Now by the advanced movement of the blade operating lever to nearly its maximum forward position this lever will exert a pull on the latch and move that member to release the movable tension arm, and as this arm moves forward the mainspring will be released to loose its remaining tension, when the resetting springwill be free to pull the tripping arm back to the normal locked position. y 7

As soon'as the toggle oint has assumed this position the tension is restored in the main spring by the rotation of the tension arm which may obtain by-la' tension lever 34, as shown in Fig. 3, wherein it is indirectly connected to the shaft, or by means of a tension lever, as shown in Fig. 5, where a cable 35 extends from the lever to a sheave 36, the latter in turn beingfixed to the shaft 37 of the tension arm whereby the tension arm may be rotated and the tension restored to the mainspring for subsequent operation.

In Figs. 1, 2, 3, '4, 5, are shown the evolution of the device in the order named, Fig. 1

showing the blade attached to a separate beam, as before mentioned, and the blade conn'ecting with the blade operating lever through the medium of the arm 10, link 11 and a crank 11 with the locking and adjusting bar 14 adjustably attached to the blade operating mechanism and extended rearwardly toform a toggle joint 12 with the tripping arm 13, that int-urn is operated bythe tripping post 21.

' In Fig. 2 the same general principle prevails,with the main spring however being attached to the toggle pivot 15 and provided with-a hook 39 that will engage a sheave 40 forsecurement in the manner represented by the dotted lines in thisfigure, engagement beingobtained bythe operation of the tension arm totheposition shown dotted in this figure.

I The device shown in Fig. 2' is placed under tension by advancing the tripping arm which setsthe toggle joint in the locked position, this position being adjustable'as before mentioned by the adjusting screw 20, which it is obvious is also applicable to that of Fig, 1.

i The hook 39 carries an extension member 41 that in turn is connectedto the blade operating lever so that by the advanceof the blade operating lever this lever will release the hook from thejsheaveand the tension of the main spring will be relieved until the blade is restored to its position in the ground, when the'tension of the main spring will be restored "inthe manner explained.

' In Fig. 3 the'toggle operating mechanism is merely brought back on the frame and connected to the blade operating lever by means of aconnecting link 42. In this deviceadjustment of the blade obtains through the hand lever 43 and quadrant 44.

The main spring in this case has the same tension restoring device and in addition thereto is equipped with a resetting spring that operates to bring the toggle to the locked position, when the tension is released from the main spring in a manner identical with that described in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 4 the toggle joint is constructed of two arms in a generally straight line with knees 46 attached to the arms to receive the adjusting screw 20 wherewith to adjust the sensitivity of the lock.

And in Fig. 5 the preferred form exhibits the tension link 27 extending from the main spring, over and to a point on the tripping arm, the locking and adjusting bar extends rearward to the upright 17 on the journal 81 of the tension arm and is made adjustable therewith by any suitable means whereby the blade operating lever may be advanced or retracted to adjust the depth of the blade in the ground.

lVith the arrangement shown in Fig. 5 and from the above description, when the toggle joint is unlocked by pulling on the rope, the operating mechanism will assume the position shown by the dotted line in Fig. 12, and as soon as this condition prevails the latch operates to release the tension arm. \Vith the tension released from the main spring the resetting spring will restore the operating mechanism to the original normal position when by the movement of the hand lever drawing the cable backward, rotating the sheave and with it the tension arm, the operating mechanism will be in a position ready for subsequent operation.

In use the adjusting screw is set to establish the correct degree of security to the blade and the operation of weeding will be started.

Now should the blade strike a solid object, a suflicient movement of the blade operating lever will take place to trip the operating mechanism.

7 Instantly upon tripping the mechanism, the main spring forces the blade against the frame, when at the same instant the tension on the main spring is released. The resetting spring then restores the blade to the operative position in the ground, and locks for operation, when the tension may be restored in the main spring by the operator through the medium of thelever, and at his convenience.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a dumping means for weeders. a frame, a blade rockably attached to said frame, a toggle operating mechanism consisting of levers attached to said blade and arranged to exert their maximum power as the blade enters or leaves the ground, and further arranged to lock, and to secure the blade in the operable position in the ground,

means to vary the degree of security of the locking means, means to unlock said locking means, and means to yieldingly operate said levers to dump saidblade.

2. Ina dumping means for feeders, a frame, a blade rockably attached to said frame, a toggle "operating mechanism comprising a tripping arm, adapted to form one arm of a toggle joint, and, attached-to said blade, and a locking and adji'lstingbar attached to the tripping arm to form the other arm of the toggle joint and attached to'said frame, means to operate said toggle-joint to apply its maximum DOWQ-llO the blade as the "blade enters or leaves the ground,mcans to loolzsaid toggle joint to secure theblade in the operable position in theground, means to vary the degree of security of the locking means from that of a completely locked condition to that of self releasing on the blade contaotin g an unyielding object in the ground. means to unlock said operating mechanism, and means to yieldingly' operate the unlocked. mechanism to dump said blade.

3. In dumping means for Weeders, a frame, a blade rochablyattachedtosaid frame, a toggle. operating mechanism comprising a tripping arm, adapted to form one arm of a toggle joint, and attached to said blade, and a locking and adjusting bar attached to the tripping arm to form the other arm of the toggle joint and attached to said frame, means to operatesaid toggle joint to apply its maximum power to theblade as, the blade enters or leaves the ground,.-mcans to lock said toggle joint to secure the blade in the operable position in the ground, means to vary the degree of security of the locking means from that of a completely locked condition to that ofself releasing on the blade contactin an un ieldin object in the ground, means to unlock saidoperating meehamsm. means to yieldingly operate,the unlocked mechanism to dump said blade, and

means cooperating iththe locking: and .ad

j usting bars to adj ustably regulate the depth of out of said blade. a V

4,111 a dumping means for weeders, a

frame, a blade roclzably attached to said frame, a toggle operatingjmechanism attached to said Weeder and comprising atripping arm, adapted to form onearm of a toggle joint and attached to said blade, and a locking and adjusting bar attachedto the tripping armto form 'the other arm ofthe toggle joint and attached to said framo, 7 means to operatesaid toggle JOHlhtOitPPlY its maximum power to the blade asthe blade enters 'or leaves the ground; means to lock said toggle joint to secure the 'blade inthe operable p'osition in the ground, means to vary the degree of security ofthe locking Jmeansfrom that of a completely locked condition to that of a self releasing condition as the blade contacts anuny elding ob ect in tension of the yielding means upon the ground, means-to unlocksaid operating mechanism, means to yieldinglyoperate the or leaves the ground, means to lock said toggle joint to secure the bladein the operable position in the ground, means to vary the degree of securityof the locking means tothat'of a self releasing-condition as the blade contacts an unyielding objectinthe ground, means to ,unlock; said operating mechanism comprising a tripping post attached to saidtrippingarnrand extended out of lineof said toggle joint, 'means to yieldingly operate. the unlocked jointto dump said blade, and meanstorestore the its operation being completed. ,7 r

6. In a dumpingmeansfor Weeders, a frame a blade ro clrably attached to said frame, a toggle operating mechanism at-.

tached to said blade," sa-id mechanism being arranged to applyits maximum power :to the blade as the blade enters or leaves the. ground,

means to adjustably lock said mechanism to.

secure theblade in the-operable position in the ground,'meansto unlock said operating 4 mechanism comprising a ,tripplng post attached thereto and extended out of line of said mechan sm, a main spr ng adapted to yieldingly operate said mechanism; to; dump said blade, a resetting spring of. lesser strength than said main'spring and posimechanism, and means torestore the tension tioned: in opposed relation thereto, attached} to said mechanism, meansjtorelease' the ten-' sion of the main spring immediatelyprior to its operation being completed, thereby permitting the-resettingspringjto relock said a of the main spring henls'aid mechanism. is

relocked, for subsequent operation,

' 7. In aidum ping means; for weedersya frame a blade rockabl attached-to said frame,- a' vblade operating lever; attached to said bladea toggle operating mechanism comprisingfa tripping rm; attached ,to said bladeoperating leyer, and adapted i to form one armof a toggle'joint," a-1 d -a;lo'ckin'g and adj usting bar attached I to said 'frame and forming a the other arm: of said toggle joint, said toggle joint being adapted toapply its maximum power to the bladeas theblade en fill:

from that of a completely locked condition,"

' tached to said tripping arm and to said frame.

and positioned in opposed relation to said main spring, means to release the tension of the main spring prior to its operation being completed, thereby permitting said resetting spring to relock said mechanism, and means to restore the tension of the main spring for subsequent operation when said mechanism is relocked.

8. In a dumping means for weeders, a frame, a blade rockably attached to said frame, a blade operating lever attached to said blade, a toggle operating mechanism comprising a tripping arm attached to said blade operating lever and adapted to form one arm of a toggle joint, and a locking and adjusting bar attached to said frame and forming the other arm of said toggle joint, said toggle joint being adapted to apply its maximum power to the blade as the blade enters or leaves the ground, means to advance or retract said locking and adjusting bar to adjust the depth of cut of said blade, an adjusting screw incorporated in said locking and adjusting bar and cooperable With the tripping arm to form a lock to secure the blade in the ground with varying degrees of security, means to unlock said operating mechanism comprising a tripping post rigidly attached perpendicular to said tripping arm and extended out of line of said toggle joint, a main spring attached to said tripping arm and to said frame and adapted to yieldingly operate said mechanism to dump said blade, at resetting spring of lesser strength than said main spring, attached to said tripping arm and to said frame, and positioned invopp'osed relation to said main spring, means to release the tension of said main spring prior to its operation being com- Y pleted, thereby permitting said resetting spring to automatically relock said mechanism, and means to restore the tension of the main spring for subsequent operation When said mechanism is relocked.

9. In a dumping means for weeders, a

frame, a blade rockably attached to said frame, a blade operating lever attached to said blade, a toggle operating mechanism comprising a tripping arm attached to said blade operating lever and adapted to form one arm of a toggle joint, and a locking and adjusting bar attached to said frame and forming the other arm of said toggle joint, said toggle joint being adapted to apply its maximum power to the blade as theblade enters or leaves the ground, means to adjustably advance or retract said locking and adjusting bar to adjust the depth of cut of said blade, an adjusting screw incorporated in said locking and adjusting bar and coo perable with the tripping arm to permit the toggle joint to pass over center and form a lock WhereWit-h to secure the blade in the ground with varying degrees of security, means to unlock said operating mechanism comprising a tripping post rigidly attached perpendicular to said tripping arm and extended out of the line of the center of said to 'le joint, a main spring attached at one end to said tripping arm and adapted to yieldingly operate said mechanism to dump said blade, a movable tension arm rotatably mounted on said frame and attached to the other end of said main spring, means to automatically trip said tension arm with a forward movement of said blade operating lever to release the tension of said spring, a resetting spring of lesser strength than said main spring attached to said tripping arm and to said frame and positioned in opposed relation to said main spring and adapted to restore the toggle mechanism automatically to the locked position upon release of the tension arm, and means to restore the tension to said main spring for subsequent operation.

10. In a dumping means for weeders, a frame, a blade rockably attached to said frame, a blade operating lever attached to said blade, a toggle operating mechanism comprising a tripping arm attached to said blade operating lever and adapted to form one arm of a toggle joint, and a locking and adjusting bar attached to said frame and forming the other arm of said toggle joint, said toggle joint being adapted to apply its maximum power to the blade as the blade enters or leaves the ground, means to adjustably advance or retract said locking and adjusting bar to adjust the depth of cut ofsaid blade, an adjusting screw incorporated in said locking and adjusting bar and cooperable with the tripping arm to permit the toggle joint to pass over center and form a lock wherewith to secure the blade in the ground with varying degrees of security, means to unlock said operating mechanism comprising a tripping post rigidly attached perpendicular to said tripping arm and extended out of the line of the center of said toggle joint, a main spring attached at one end to said tripping arm and adapted to yieldingly operate said mechanism to dump said blade, a movable tension rotatably mounted on said frame and attached to tl e other end of said main spring, means to automatically trip said tension arm with a To row forward movement of said blade operating lever to release the tension. ofsaid spring, a resetting spring of lesser strength than said main spring attached to said tripping arm and to said frame and positioned in opposed relation to said main spring and adapted to restore the toggle mechanism automatically to the locked position upon release of the tension arm, and means to rotate said tension arm to restore the tension of said main spring for subsequent operation.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature v CLAUDE L. KEY. 

